Praying Mantis Found In Auburn

I've lived in the Northwest my whole life, but I've never seen a praying mantis in the wild. Today as my son was going down for his nap, my wife noticed a strange looking visitor on the outside of his window. My wife is from Guam and praying mantii are quite common there, so she recognized this little guy right away.

I coaxed him onto a piece of wood so I could take his picture. I think once he realized his picture was being taken he started showing off by crawling around, walking onto my hand, and waving his arms around.

I put him back where I found him and he seems quite content just hanging out. I hope he sticks around, I think he looks really cool.

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I just found one in spanaway on a house I service. Brown tree leaf color

Jim says ... on Friday, Sep 19 at 10:38 AM

Found one this morning, 9/19/2014, in Maple Valley. It was in my dogs food bowl of all places. Never saw one before today and never knew they were in the pacific northwest.

evan says ... on Saturday, Sep 6 at 8:53 AM

One landed on me last night walking to my car haha hr is now my pet!

Kurt says ... on Sunday, Aug 31 at 10:20 PM

Went to concert at White River Amphitheater on 8/30/2014 and found one walking on the grass. First time I've seen one in Western Washington.

niki says ... on Sunday, Aug 31 at 4:46 PM

Just seen mu first today on Sumner WA....8/31/2014

Jbishop says ... on Sunday, Aug 17 at 9:23 PM

Just found one in Seattle at the Montlake Fill. Big tan one, thought it was a grasshopper when I caught him flying in. He calmed down for me but gave my daughter a good scratch. Amazing little creature.

Cathy says ... on Friday, Oct 5 at 7:46 PM

We saw one today, so neat, first one I have seen all my live, 62 years. We were on a day trip at San Juan Island the grassy slope above the English Camp Cemetery below Young Hill. Oct 5th 2012.

rob white says ... on Tuesday, Oct 2 at 2:30 PM

saw one flying in my yard. looked funny., it landed on my chain link fence. i picked it up, it was freindly. about maybe 3 inches long. i put it on an outdoor plant. and left it. first one ive seen here in tacoma. the date is 10-2-12. nice day out.

Molly says ... on Thursday, Sep 13 at 1:44 PM

September 13, 2012,,,,, There was a praying mantis on our kitchen counter which probablyl came from some freshly picked corn from our Son-in-Law's corn patch.We will return it to the corn patch. We've never seen one here before.Sumner,W

Mike says ... on Saturday, Oct 29 at 4:22 PM

They are here in Tenino, WA

Rob says ... on Sunday, Oct 2 at 7:08 AM

Found 2 in Maple Valley yesterday. They are super cool little guys/girls. They were so interested in what i was doing, climbing up higher on the grass to observe me. Thats how i seen them! I been in Wash. for 42 years and they are the first i seen

Carolyn says ... on Thursday, Sep 29 at 8:42 AM

I found on this summer (2011) in the dog water bowl. Could not believe what it was. They look so smart! I've lived in Shelton, Wa. 60 years...never saw one here before, they like to hang out in warmer states. I'd love to start seeing fire flys!

pat says ... on Friday, Sep 23 at 7:47 AM

found two in the last two days in puyallup. one green and one brown. they seem as interested in people as we are of them

linda bernacki says ... on Saturday, Feb 12 at 5:45 AM

We live in Mandurah W A got loads here huge green one the other week. Now a female has laid a big egg sack under our outside light last night 11.2.20011. We will await the hatching whenever that is. Does anyone know how long before the eggs hatch?

Darren says ... on Sunday, Nov 7 at 12:38 PM

I just found 1 outside my apartment in Auburn WA, seems sick, surely a bird would have picked him off buy now, whats this mean I don`t think I`ve ever seen 1 of these around here, now everyone all of the sudden is seeing them?

Tim says ... on Sunday, Nov 7 at 6:04 AM

I have seen a lot of these in washington believe it or not i have one as a pet right not that was found in southern washington near kelso wa got him on my computer desk in a nice jar lol

B says ... on Friday, Nov 5 at 9:56 PM

I just found a tan one about 3 inches long, with a fat abdomen. I've seen small skinny brown ones in eastern Wa. but never one like this! I wonder where they came from? I'll have to check with WSU. They've got a great insect dept.

Robert says ... on Sunday, Oct 31 at 8:17 PM

Found 2 outside our teashop in downtown Kent, WA. Took them home for pets, I have lived here my entire life, 48 years and that's the first ones i have ever seen. They seem to be spreading accross the entire state of WA. wow! they are so cool.

K says ... on Saturday, Oct 16 at 9:29 PM

We live in eastern WA, Tri-Cities/ Walla Walla and have always had Praying Mantis here, very gentle creatures, yes they were imported as pest control from Asia and Europe. There are many different species sold as pets as well.

Bryan says ... on Saturday, Oct 9 at 10:42 AM

Found a huge one in garage. Bright green and about 3 inches in Fife 10/09/2010

Tammy says ... on Thursday, Oct 7 at 11:03 AM

We found one in the strawberries 10/07/2010
Puyallup,WA

Shane B. says ... on Wednesday, Oct 6 at 10:33 PM

Found a tan one today, clinging to a yellow, fuel antifreeze bottle. About two and a half inches in length. Near the Cowlitz river, In Toledo Washington.

Daniette says ... on Wednesday, Oct 6 at 4:39 PM

Found a green one in our yard this afternoon in Olympia. Anyone know if any High School or even the zoo would want it for display?

Barbara says ... on Tuesday, Oct 5 at 9:30 AM

Found a large brownish mantis, approx. 4 inches long, on Vashon island. Have never seen one here before.

Karen says ... on Thursday, Sep 30 at 5:21 PM

I looked them up and I believe that the males are brown and smaller. The females are larger and leaf green.

Karen says ... on Thursday, Sep 30 at 5:19 PM

I found one in my horse pasture between Auburn and Enumclaw a couple of days ago. I gave it to my grandsons to marvel over.

Gary says ... on Wednesday, Sep 29 at 6:38 PM

Found one last wed picked it up and let it crawl on my hand then put in a tree. never seen one this side of the Mnts before, lived here for forty years.

Tracy says ... on Saturday, Sep 25 at 10:25 AM

Found one in our yard in Roy today... about 4 inches long and green.. looks like a blade of grass

Susie says ... on Saturday, Sep 25 at 8:41 AM

Found one in Tumwater, WA yesterday. Took pictures. I had no idea we had them in Washington. Hope they're not going to prey on our native insects

Dave says ... on Wednesday, Sep 22 at 8:59 AM

So weird. My coworker took a picture of one at home depot in Fircrest last week. I caught one at my work in Fife yesterday and let it go because my son told me we'd be hurting nature - how cute. My roomate saw one yesterday in Puyallup too.

J Duncan says ... on Thursday, Sep 16 at 8:39 PM

Found one in olympia wa just about 2inch but I plan on keepin him.lol put him in with the python and survived for a week so I figured I'd learn more put him in his own cage and keep him as a pet email me don't know what they eat jasonduncan1984@live.

Anonymous says ... on Sunday, Sep 12 at 2:55 PM

Found a brown one in Olympia wa.

james says ... on Sunday, Sep 12 at 1:49 PM

i just found on today in the backyard puyallup, wa 9/12/10

Sue, Auburn WA says ... on Thursday, Aug 19 at 3:39 PM

I think we found one today! We spotted a COUPLE weird bugs out there (1 looked like a small scorpion!) Then my 6 yr old daugther found a long whitish green bug on the hose. I said, "If I didnt know any better, I'd think this was a Praying Mantis

Kirstin says ... on Tuesday, Aug 17 at 8:20 AM

I found one yesterday (8/16/2010) in my backyard in Tacoma. It was a really cool green one hanging out on my Japanese forest grass.

Kirstin says ... on Tuesday, Aug 17 at 8:19 AM

I found one yesterday(8/16/2010) yesterday in my backyard in Tacoma. It was a really cool green one. He was hanging out on my Japanese forest grass.

anastasia says ... on Monday, Aug 16 at 10:52 AM

i found one yesterday (8/15/10) in mardon while i was camping. i took him home to keep him as a pet and he/she seem happy. it was crawling around on my cuz and i.

Daralea says ... on Thursday, Aug 12 at 2:37 PM

The other day as I was coming in from the backyard, this little white creature that looked like a tiny Praying Mantis seemed to be racing me inside. I killed it, thinking they dont exist in Spanaway. But we've currently got one on our screen door.

Tom L. says ... on Tuesday, Nov 10 at 9:18 AM

Looks like they are all over western WA now ... When do we get fireflys ??? I havent seen one since I was a kid on the east coast

Maria says ... on Friday, Nov 6 at 9:22 AM

I found a Praying Mantis in an old flower pot on my back porch. It was mid-summer in the city of Tacoma, Washington. I took some cool pictures.

Mike A. says ... on Sunday, Nov 1 at 3:43 PM

I have seen one a year or so ago... then I found another this summer. I found a big tan mantis last month, and then I accidently ran one over with my mower 2 wks ago! About 3 days ago my daughter saw one (bright green) and I caught her Lngvw. wa.

Keturah says ... on Saturday, Oct 31 at 1:15 PM

We live in Maple Valley and have never seen one in washington state. Found one this morning on our front door; totally freaked us out cuz they don't hang in Washington

Tara says ... on Monday, Oct 12 at 10:04 PM

Found 2 in the yard last week. Pregnant females. Decided to bring one in and keep it in a terrarium with crickets. Hope to have eggs shortly! =) Too cold for them outside right now. Have never seen them here before! Very exciting. Chehalis, Wa

Janet says ... on Wednesday, Oct 7 at 4:53 PM

My daughter found a praying mantis at her school in Arlington today. We moved it to a wooded area so that the kids at school wouldn't bother it. Very cool! I have lived in Washington for 35 years and have never seen one until now.

J. RODD says ... on Wednesday, Oct 7 at 9:14 AM

Found a little mantis on some pipe at work today, pretty neat to find! Let him go out in our garden area, hopefully he sticks around!

tommy says ... on Saturday, Sep 26 at 11:01 AM

my friend in sumner saw one at night it freaked him out a little bit did not know what it was at first wish i could have been there.

LC says ... on Thursday, Sep 24 at 6:31 PM

Found one at work, Summit/Midland area. Big and green.

Dawn says ... on Friday, Sep 18 at 7:39 PM

We had one land on our windshield around noon today in Yelm and found another one in our house this evening in Roy. Have lived here most of my life and never seen one. Today we have seen two! How cool is that?

Deidre says ... on Tuesday, Sep 15 at 9:19 PM

My 4 year old found one at my mom's house today (09/15/09) in Lakewood, WA. It's about 3 inches long and green. I'm buying crickets tomorrow to feed him. His name is Jumpie. He's so COOL!

Jim says ... on Tuesday, Sep 15 at 4:15 PM

Found one outside next to my driveway today (9/15/09) in Olympia. It's nearly three inches long and green.

Kevin says ... on Saturday, Sep 12 at 7:28 PM

Just found on outside on my deck, Belfair Wa, never seen a mantis in Washington before, very interesting. 9/12/09

Gardener says ... on Saturday, Sep 12 at 12:23 PM

We saw one in our garden area today. Covington, WA

Karin says ... on Wednesday, Sep 9 at 8:28 PM

We found a mantis at the South Hill Mall in Puyallup. It was on the ground at 9:00 p.m.. Took him/her home to feed it and care for it. Today is Sept. 8 2009 Cute little fella. Hubby used to have them as pets years ago when he lived in CA.

Lynx560 says ... on Wednesday, Sep 9 at 2:47 AM

My boss, a co-worker & I saw one early this morning on 15th Ave in Longview. We even got some pics of it.

Sarah says ... on Friday, Sep 4 at 12:44 PM

Lived in WA my whole life and never seen one. The kids just found one walking around my garage in Orting! About 3 inches long and bright green. The kids want to keep it as a pet.

Tammy says ... on Thursday, Sep 3 at 12:35 PM

I just found a brown colored praying mantis on my wood fence...he's about 3 inches long and very cool...I have lived in Wa for 32 years and have never seen one here before..Sept 3, 2009! Tacoma, Wa.

JRL says ... on Monday, Aug 31 at 2:31 PM

Odd! Never seen one in WA before, but the kids found one today....Monday, August 31, Longview, WA

debbie says ... on Monday, Aug 24 at 10:30 AM

aug 24 2009 found a tannish color mantis about 3 inches long havent seen a mantis in wa.st.I saw praying mantis living in the south as child..after looking up info guess it wasnt so, if they spit in your eye u would go blind lol longview,wa.

Zach says ... on Friday, Aug 21 at 3:59 PM

Drove back from Coeur D'Alene ID today. Saw 6 of them at a gas station in Connell, then another one in Sprague at a Zip's.

Heather says ... on Wednesday, Aug 19 at 6:24 PM

Found a tannish colored one on my fence today in Yelm wa. Kids want to keep it as a pet. :)

mary says ... on Wednesday, Aug 19 at 10:50 AM

Just found one today hanging out in the door here in Renton, WA
about 2"long very pale green

spazmotic1 says ... on Monday, Aug 17 at 7:46 PM

Just saw one fall from the sky this evening. Brought him into the yard to the plants. VERY interesting fellow! Chehalis, WA.

Hannah & Brandon says ... on Sunday, Jul 5 at 3:13 PM

Found one in our yard today, hanging out on a rose bush, unfortunatly though for him, we killed it.

Amanda says ... on Wednesday, Jun 3 at 2:50 PM

I don't think they would effect the populations of native insects any more than, for example, dragon flies. They are the size of mosquitos when they hatch,and grow for three or four months before they become adults and are able to reproduce offspring

A. says ... on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 9:31 AM

Do you think the Mantises are showing up because they have been imported from other places for pest control?
Is it detrimental to native good bugs?

A. says ... on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 9:29 AM

My sister had one in a planter box outside her house about 6 years ago in Eastern Washington and it bit her child.

A. says ... on Wednesday, Apr 22 at 9:28 AM

I have lived in Snohomish County for 55 years and have always had gardens and my grandfather was a famer. We have never seen any Mantises in this area of Washington State.

Jennifer says ... on Monday, Mar 9 at 7:02 PM

I think they might be showing up due to the sales of egg cases online telling people they will decrease the amount of other intrusive insects around their homes if released. I am currently in Kent and look forward to trying to find one!

Clatskanie OR says ... on Sunday, Nov 16 at 7:52 AM

My son and his friends found one in Clatskanie OR on Nov 11th.

Renazal says ... on Friday, Nov 7 at 10:47 AM

We live in Sumner and we also just found our first today. 11/7/08

Horace J. Digby says ... on Saturday, Oct 25 at 9:06 PM

We found two in our yard today, October 26, 2008, near Kelso, Washington.

GREG says ... on Friday, Oct 24 at 7:55 PM

yea those are kool. Seen alot in nebraska where I grew up, 20 years here, never seen one.

Gordon says ... on Tuesday, Oct 7 at 9:37 AM

These come in on our shipments of new boats from Tennessee i believe, we see them frequently around the dealership in the summertime. They are pretty cool, I sent one with my daughter for show and tell last month so the other kids could see one.

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